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The PortMiami tunnel was expected to be open by mid-June after some delays followed the ceremony honoring the completion of the project. But, more delays are expected after the contractor said problems were found in the jet fains, some bolts, and other areas.

MAT LLC, told NBC 6 in a statement that there has been “found excessive vibration problems with the jets fans which has caused decommissioning of 2 of the 44 jets fans. The cause of the excessive vibration is undetermined at this time.”

The contractor, Bouygues, said it is working on a full re-inspection and testing of the fans in the tunnel in “conjunction with the manufacturer.”

Contractors said there have been “unforeseen delays in passing the pressure tests for the tunnel drainage force main.” According to the Miami Herald, the system pumps rainwater and other spillage out and must maintain a pressure of 100 pounds per square inch for six hours, but it’s not.

In addition, “some of the ceiling structural bolts have been found to not meet the specified torque criteria.”

Bouygues said it is also “in the process of addressing minor deficiencies within the tunnel operation/maintenance software systems” and that completion of the software integration is “contingent upon resolving the force main and jet fan commissioning.”

The contractor still also has to obtain a certificate of occupancy for the buildings and the tunnel, but that can’t be done until the force main and the jet fans are commissioned.

In the meantime, Bouygues is racking up major fines for not meeting the target date. According to the Miami Herald, the company has already been fined “more than $3 million” and that amount grows by $115,000 each day.

Published at 10:27 PM EST on Jun 17, 2014

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